Chapter 345
Hearing Yvonne’s words, Jeremy sighed.
‘Grandpa sure knows how to stir things up.‘ Jeremy thought. ‘Asking Yvonne to wear white to an engagement party?’
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The thought nearly slipped out, but he held his tongue. He knew this wasn’t really his grandfather’s fault. Richard had been so caught up in preparations that he probably hadn’t considered how the outfit might be perceived.
After all, this was the engagement party of the family’s eldest granddaughter. Everyone wanted it to be as grand and spectacular as possible, maybe even the biggest event in the family in the past two decades.
Over a hundred photographers were invited, in addition to media teams from various companies and many well–known freelance photographers.
Besides that, several journalists and media outlets were covering the event, too.
Taking it all in, Richard pressed his lips together, feeling slightly overwhelmed.
Seizing a rare moment alone, he discreetly massaged his cheeks, sore from smiling at the cameras all day. Truth be told, he’d much rather sneak away and spend time with Yvonne.
Thinking of her, he couldn’t help but recall his two grandsons, who were always hovering around her.
For some reason, he suddenly felt a pang of jealousy towards them.
But before he could entertain the thought further, his son and Carol appeared, bringing Laura along with them.
Carol approached with a bright smile and nudged Laura forward. “Laura, hold your grandfather’s arm. Let the media get some shots of you two together,” she chirped.
Without hesitation, Laura linked arms with Richard and posed beside him.
Pushing through his exhaustion, Richard replaced his weary look with a warm, affectionate smile as the photographers snapped away.
Watching the scene unfold, Carol smiled brightly.
In her mind, she had already prepared a narrative for the media.
She was determined to cement Laura’s reputation as Richard’s most cherished grandchild in the eyes of the public.
The thought of her daughter earning Richard’s recognition filled Carol with deep satisfaction.
Her smile widened with pride at the very thought.
Meanwhile, Richard held Laura’s hand as she chatted with the press.
A flicker of genuine emotion crossed his face as he looked at the well–dressed, poised young woman beside him.
Richard gently patted the back of Laura’s hand.
“What’s wrong, Grandpa?” Laura asked softly.
Noticing his gesture, Laura turned to him and squeezed his hand lightly.
As attentive as she was, Laura’s bright smile dimmed slightly as she picked up on his emotions.
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Chapter 345
But Richard’s following words caught her completely off guard.
“Call Widi and Yvonne over. Let’s take a picture of the four of us,” Richard said. Perhaps he was getting sentimental in his old age, but the idea struck him out of nowhere.
Laura blinked in surprise before breaking into a warm smile. “That’s a great idea, Grandpa. I didn’t even think of it,” she said excitedly.
Only now did she realize she hadn’t taken a photo with her two younger sisters.
Thinking of this, Laura quickly turned to her father. “I saw Widi by the orchestra earlier. Dad, can you send someone to get her?” she asked.
Then she looked at her boyfriend. “Rupert, can you go look for Yvonne? You met her this morning, so you should recognize her.”
Rupert nodded and headed off without hesitation.
Beside them, Carol had just finished speaking with the reporters when her smile wavered for a moment at Richard’s words.
“Why request a group photo now, of all time?‘ Carol thought, her mind racing.
“But today is supposed to be about Laura,” she mumbled softly.
Is he trying to send a message?‘ Carol wondered.
Her mind raced. She wondered if Richard had somehow caught wind of what she had told the media earlier.
‘Did he hear me and decide to make a statement by including the other two girls?‘ Carol thought.
Her expression quickly returned to normal, but a sense of unease settled in her chest.
*****
Since the staff knew exactly where Widi was, they found her quickly.
At that moment, she stood near the orchestra, listening to the violinists.
Though she looked relaxed, she was secretly fuming and cursing at Jeremy.
She had already changed into the outfit picked out for her, but instead of going to find Yvonne and the others, she had stayed put. She knew that if she ran into Jeremy and Vic, they’d find a way to embarrass her.
Since she was young, Widi had never won a single argument or debate against them. Those two were simply unbeatable.
No matter how many online articles she read about shutting down annoying relatives or coming up with quick–witted comebacks, she was still no match for them.
Their offhand remarks and comments were always sharp, merciless, or humiliating.
Just as she was brooding over this, a staff member approached and whispered something in her ear.
The second WIdi heard the message, she jumped to her feet.
“Grandpa wants to see me?” Widi blurted out.
Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed the hem of her dress and took off, and the poor staff member had to jog to keep
- up.
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Chapter 345
On the other hand, Rupert took his task seriously. Since Laura had personally asked him to bring Yvonne, he made sure not to waste any time.
After asking around, he finally found her by the courtyard near the aviary. As he approached, he saw her with Jeremy and
Vic.
Smiling, Rupert picked up his pace and called out. “Jeremy, Vic,” he greeted, “Yvonne”
Since Laura called them that way, he figured he’d do the same.
He met Yvonne earlier that morning, then Vic, and finally Jeremy, making sure to take note of each of their appearances.
The trio turned to look at him, almost as if they had been talking about him.
When they first met earlier that morning, Jeremy had thought Rupert seemed like a good man. But now, his impression of him has changed.
Oblivious to this change, Rupert simply delivered his message.
“Grandpa wants to take a family photo with Yvonne and Widi. He sent me to bring you guys over,” he said.
“Oh.” Jeremy’s response was flat, almost dismissive.
Then, without urgency, he bent down and picked Yvonne up.
Seeing his slow movements, Rupert hesitated momentarily before offering.
“How about I carry Yvonne instead? It’ll be quicker, and we won’t keep everyone waiting.” Rupert offered.
He knew he hadn’t spent much time with Laura’s younger siblings yet, so he wanted to make a good impression.
Since the two families would see more of each other in the future, starting things off on the right foot made sense.
He had even prepared for this meeting. Laura had assured him there was nothing to worry about, but he still felt nervous.
Luckily, when they met earlier, Rupert was relieved everyone seemed polite.
No one had acted coldly toward him, and everyone was friendly.
But just as Rupert finished his sentence, he reached out his hands, prepared to lift Yvonne.
However, Jeremy swiftly stepped in and scooped her up.
“No need,” Jeremy said, his tone unexpectedly icy.
The sharpness in his voice made Rupert’s stomach drop.
Sensing the tension, Vic spoke up with an easygoing smile. “Jeremy and Yvonne are close. Let him carry her,” he said.
Taking the hint, Rupert didn’t push the issue.
Instead, he walked beside them, leading the way back. However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed as they walked.
‘We met just four hours ago,’ he thought. ‘W’at the hell happened between then and now?‘
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